David Bomberg

also painted on reverse (portrait in a chair)

The Artist's family
Connaught Brown, London, where acquired by Mr Penti Couri
Sale, Christie's London, 23rd November 1993, lot 42, where acquired by David Bowie

The board is sound. Self-Portrait (more abstracted side):Some of the impasto elements have been very slightly flattened. There are small areas of reticulation, most noticeable to the dark brown pigment. There are a few fine and light scratches across the work, particularly in the upper left quadrant, some of which are in keeping with the Artist's working method. There are one or two extremely small losses around the extreme edges of the panel and one tiny loss to the brown pigment in the lower right. Subject to the above the work appears in very good overall condition.Inspection under UV light reveals fine re-touchings to some of the aforementioned scratches and small patches of restoration to those losses along the left edge, including a vertical line halfway down the left edge, as well as evidence of the aforementioned reticulation having been infilled.Portrait of a Seated Woman:Some of the impasto elements have been very slightly flattened. There are small areas of reticulation. There are a number of Artist's pinholes in all four corners and to the centre of the upper and lower edges. There are areas of frame abrasion to the upper left corner and the upper right edge.There are two small flecks of loss, one to the extreme lower right corner and another to the lower right side of the figure's face. Subject to the above the work is in excellent overall condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of restoration or retouching.The work is presented in a simple black painted wooden frame.Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

With a further portrait by the same hand on the reverse.